Manchester City’s defensive midfield mainstay Rodri will be the final first-team player to return from their summer holidays this week, it has been confirmed.
Pep Guardiola and his players travelled to the United States for their pre-season tour of the country with many of their more familiar names absent from the squad, with the likes of Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland complimenting a largely youthful contingent.
Following the four-game schedule Stateside, Manchester City returned to duties at the City Football Academy last week, welcomed by the remainder of their first-team squad who were granted extended holidays following knock-out round appearances at Euro 2024
With many of those names, including Jeremy Doku and Ruben Dias, starring in the FA Community Shield against Manchester United, City will now look forward to an additional four stars returning to action this week.
Three of those names have already returned to duties and undertaken the necessary medical tests at the club’s training base adjacent to the Etihad Stadium, while the same report has revealed the final name will return in the coming days.
As per the information of the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Manchester City’s Three Lions trio of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden have all returned to the club’s City Football Academy training base on Monday.
As for their European Championship final competitor and tournament winner Rodrigo, the Spaniard will return to his own Manchester City duties and pre-season responsibilities on Wednesday, according to the report.
It remains to be seen whether a return on Wednesday will enable Rodri to be in contention to feature in Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
The aforementioned English trio are likely to feature however, taking on more preparation time than those who returned last week ahead of the club’s FA Community Shield match-up against Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola is likely to provide a comprehensive update on the fitness levels of the returning quartet when he addresses the media in his pre-Chelsea press conference on Friday afternoon, ahead of the club’s journey to West London on Saturday.
Manchester City will then return north ahead of their own opener in front of the Etihad Stadium faithful, as they welcome Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town to the north-west in a traditional Saturday 3PM kick-off slot.